At age 73, I am a lifetime Democrat, voting Dem in every election since college. I can never vote for the mafia boss Trump. But nor can I vote for Biden, who has made himself a war criminal by enabling in genocide. Biden continues to by send weapons to Israel to commit ongoing war crimes. He has repeatedly vetoed an immediate, permanent cease fire at the UN Security Council despite for worldwide support for one by international humanitarian and human rights organizations. Biden has undermined international law by rejecting the role of the International Court of Justice investigating legitimate charges and clear evidence of genocide by Israel. Biden undermined humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza by ending support for UNRWA, the most effective and experienced humanitarian aid organization in Gaza. Now the US Congress has piled on. Biden has refused to recognize a Palestinian state, vetoing the measure at the UN Security Council. Biden has enabled impunity for war crimes by Israel. Sorry. Biden and other Dems who vote for continued military aid to Israel will not have my vote in November.
Cornel West is a Colossus of humanity, a fierce advocate of human rights and dignity for all the people's of the Earth. One Billionaire in the World is too many. You only get that rich by exploiting the Poor and keeping your Boot on the neck of humanity. How is it possible that people with obscene wealth pay no tax? They could be truly Philanthropic and end Child Poverty overnight, fund free education, healthcare and affordable Housing Projects so every citizen could live in Peace and Dignity, work hard, and live a real American Dream. Fund research in cures for Cancer , and Alzheimer's, and easily make the world a better place, and still hardly make a dent in their off shore bank account. Stop treating Mother Earth like a rubbish dump,not open sewer. It's not a pipe dream, to strive for better is a necessity. This lonely Planet of ours deserves more respect, the harmony of Mother Nature proves it.
I like Cornel West as well, but there is no way that he will win in this election. In this coming election, a vote for Dr. West will help Donald Trump win the Presidency. If you are happy with that possible outcome, you certainly have the right to follow that path.
I agree and yet the thought of voting for Biden makes me sick as well. I feel so utterly betrayed by his partnership with Netanyahu. Can Cornel Weat push Biden to end the genocide by being a more prominent candidate? That’s what I want to see. I sadly don’t think Cornell West can win but he can threaten Biden and make him shake in his shoes. Biden is so narcissistic right now. He is so sickening. But if Trump wins the GOP he will be so much worse to Gaza if that’s even possible. They love Bibi. Rev west can stay in long enough to gain enough momentum that will let Biden know he will lose if Cornell West stays in the race. But once Biden does the cease fire and truly saves Palestinians lives and helps them rebuild their country then Cornell back Biden. But believe me I will never forgive Biden. NEVER! —even if I feel forced to vote for him to avoid the GOP & Trump. Much love 💕 to all who support Mehdi
Your perspective is understood as the strategy has been implemented many times over the years. The thing that I am concerned with are the people who don’t think critically about things they hear and who are very susceptible to suggestion. These people (unfortunately far too many) who will hear “vote for West” and then won’t be able to change their position when the time comes they will likely abstain from voting and in return put Donald Trump into office.
He’s never impressed me. He’s actually a little cuckoo. I will do everything in my power to save our democracy. The threat is real. Two choices for Americans, Democracy or Autocracy. Don’t blow it now.
Cynthia Nixon is truly a woman of morals and someone to look up to. Shame there aren't more like her. Mehdi did a great job of speaking with her and asked the relevant questions. A thought for a future interview would to be speak with Andy Worthington. He has devoted years to trying to free the unfairly imprisoned men in Guantanamo. Another stain on the U.S.
The idea of presidential material we’ve been force fed has to shift. A leader for the good of humanity with his intellect and mass organizing abilities, it would be a force to pivot humanity’s course. The empire will fall with the 2 party system and / or with fascism. I don’t know what will await. So an intentional redefinition is worth trying - mobilizing non voters for the first time.
It is a novel and valid wish to revise the system but I'd hazard to say that this is not the right time. Why? Because a failure to elect a third party candidate in this election could potentially mean a Trump dictatorship for years to come, a family dynasty. If he does what he is telling us he'll do, we will no longer have any elections. That has to be the paramount concern in 2024.
I understand the desire for change, I'd like a parliamentary system but I will not risk a wasted vote that will ultimately lead to a second Trump term. One has to be realistic this election. The idealism you describe is something to aspire to. It is not something we can toy with right now.
Read what Trump says he'll do and tell me you're not afraid. You should be, if he's elected there will be nothing left that we currently recognize of our government, as bad as it appears to many it will be immeasurably worse
In both 2016 and 2020 I voted with my head because of him (electoral college wise, it didn’t matter). It’s been a shit show with him and without him.
I’d like to lead with my heart this time. Or call it my consciousness. I know it’s ideal, but that feeling when you go against yourself (and rationalize and intellectualize it) - it’s hard to do that for me now. Thank you Mimi for this dialogue.
You know what choice I refuse? Throwing away my vote on a grifter like Cornel West, who announced his candidacy on Russel Brand's show, where he called his fellow grifter a "truth-teller" and a "justice-seeker" and a "genuine force for good" whom he watches "reg-u-lar-ly, re-li-gious-ly" lolol. This after West put his name on a WSJ article praising Ron DeFascist, co-written by a conservative who runs an organization listing West on its advisory board, a position I'm willing to bet comes with a salary. Then we find out he took the max individual political donation from right-wing king-maker Harlan Crowe. Who knows who else is behind his pointless spoiler campaign.
The reality is, while he often says a lot of the right things in public, over the years West has allowed himself to be repeatedly used as a useful idiot to give credibility to right-wing propagandists such as Joe Rogan and the aforementioned Brand, as well as corporate media stooges like Anderson Cooper. So while I fully agree that our current choices for president are both horrific, Cornel West is also a terrible choice, because he has demonstrated that his words and actions and name can be bought whenever he needs money to support his extravagant lifestyle or to pay his unpaid back taxes or child support (look it up, he's a hypocrite). Never mind that he has absolutely no chance to win.
I fully understand and respect that some people just can't stomach voting for zionist Joe Biden, but if you're going to cast a protest vote, write in "Cease Fire" or something like that. Don't encourage grifters like Cornel West. Voting for him is just a sucker play.
Thanks Adam! I appreciate your recognition that many people simply cannot stomach voting for Biden after what he's enabled in Gaza. And I happen to agree with a lot of with your take on Cornel West's campaign.
I suspect the JRB campaign's calculation is that more voters balk at the idea of another DJT presidency, so much so that aiding and abetting the carnage in Gaza won't cost him the Oval Office. But if the margins in Virginia and Michigan in 2020 are anything to go by, I wouldn't be so sure.
My concern is what happens on Nov 5th if JRB loses. Let's face it, a significant number of those who might either sit the election out, choose a third party candidate or cast a protest vote will be American Muslims (who make up a significant proportion of voters in some swing states). And I really hope that progressives won't resort to maligning them for acting according to their conscience.
I certainly won't malign anyone who refuses to vote for Biden at this point, I actually don't plan on voting for him either unless he suddenly grows a spine and some morals and does an about face in regards to Israel. But I live in a state where Biden is almost certainly going to win whether I vote for him or not, so it's not really a significant thing for me to withhold my vote. I do think it is a very valid strategy to say to Biden right now, "you want my vote, do something to earn it". And I also think it's valid to say "it's too late Genocide Joe, you've lost my vote".
I will add though that if Trump wins, American Muslims and for that matter a lot of other groups are going to have a lot more to worry about then progressives judging them. For all his obvious flaws, Biden is not a fascist, Trump is.
I completely agree with your characterisation of the MAGA-lomaniac. It's not so much the judgement. It's more that progressives end up "blaming" them for Trump and pull back their solidarity if and when all sorts of bigoted measures are implemented. It would be a shame to see that happen, essentially being "punished" for voting conscientiously.
I have to be honest about my feelings or thoughts on that issue. I intend to vote uncommitted in my NM primary, or write in “Cease Fire” for my too of ticket vote. I’m very conflicted in what I think about people of any background withholding their general election vote from Biden, & thereby maybe causing a Trump win. I consider myself a principled human, & I am very angry with Biden’s support of Israel after the point where it became obvious that they were committing war crimes.
I have called the WH numerous times leaving messages telling him to stop sending weapons to Israel & to do whatever he needs to do to get weapons to Ukraine. I’ve called the FLOTUS, VP, & Mr Emhoff. I’ve messaged all of them on all their sm sites many times.
My reasoning for voting for Biden in the general election is that I’m pretty sure that the power of AIPAC & the entire Jewish community is such that our govt would continue to send support to Israel even if Joe Biden became comatose today. After all, even with all the horrific things we’ve learned about IDF killings, & the continued collective punishment of starvation & lack of fuel & water, only 50-54 Democrats in the House have signed a letter to Biden calling for a cease fire. Also AIPAC is funding campaigns for Democrats to try to oust members of the Progressive Caucus & the House sanctioned Rashida Tlaib for speaking up for her people.
So my bottom line is that the support for Israel’s punishing war in Gaza is not just 1 man, Joe Biden. It is pretty much a whole of govt position & I wish that everyone could see that & come to the realization that at the very LEAST, Biden can be reasoned with & pushed to do the right thing; Trump cannot.
If someone pulls back their solidarity over that then I would question whether they're actually a progressive. That sounds like centrist liberal behavior to me.
I must agree with commenter Beetolone, that West does have great ideas regarding changes that need to take place in our govt particularly the military industrial complex & the belief that we need to police the entire world. However, he is totally unrealistic in his explanation as to how he
would win or accomplish any of his platform, taking into account the realities of the Electoral College & a Congress where he would have little support or influence.
He never really answered your questions regarding the above impediments, & therefore his candidacy is nothing more than a spoiler that may very well cause a second Trump presidency & the fall of democracy. A great mind, but way too much magical thinking.
Respectfully, I disagree that he did not answer the question. He said that he would take it to the people, that the political game of bribes and lobbying is corrupt and doesn't get us anywhere we want to be and that the real answer is in mobilizing the people. This was Bernie Sanders' same point when he was running. If you mobilize a movement of people, those people pressure their representatives in Congress or get them out at the next election. In a way, this did work for Bernie. It was the power of the movement he generated that made the Democratic Party that had been sabotaging his campaign throughout (both times) have to give him a position of some power, both in sculpting the party platform and in his Senate committee chairs. I believe that West could mobilize people and build coalitions. In the words of Saul Williams, "we perpetuate an unchanging reality by focusing on keeping it real." If you want change, you have to do something different.
Thank you Mehdi for asking the question. Dr. West, whom I used to appreciate, is now wiggling like a MAGA without answering the question you asked. Yes, he is helping Trump to the point that I wonder where his funding is coming from. He is another politician who mentions MLK Jr as if he owned him. MLK Jr didn't run for office as far as I know, and thus maintained his integrity. What Dr. West says is worthy in an opposition context, but totally invalidated by the fact that he is doing exactly the opposite of what a true nonviolent and anti imperialist activist would do. So what he says, instead of being inspiring comes out as pompous and empty.
Our country has, through its shortcomings and failures opened the door to autocratic rule. If we allow Trump and his handlers in a second time, which is much more likely now than before October 6, what will then be your path to justice? I say there will be no such path. What say you?
Third party voting is a math question, not a policy question. As long as our electoral system (know as "First Past The Post") continues to award 100% of the elected office to the candidate who gets the most votes (even if it is fewer than 50%), the electorate will devolve into only two viable parties. And, paradoxically, the third party does the most harm to the party with which they most agree on policies. When faced with a choice between the lesser of two evils, choose the lesser evil. Don't pretend your "protest vote" serves any useful purpose.
At age 73, I am a lifetime Democrat, voting Dem in every election since college. I can never vote for the mafia boss Trump. But nor can I vote for Biden, who has made himself a war criminal by enabling in genocide. Biden continues to by send weapons to Israel to commit ongoing war crimes. He has repeatedly vetoed an immediate, permanent cease fire at the UN Security Council despite for worldwide support for one by international humanitarian and human rights organizations. Biden has undermined international law by rejecting the role of the International Court of Justice investigating legitimate charges and clear evidence of genocide by Israel. Biden undermined humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza by ending support for UNRWA, the most effective and experienced humanitarian aid organization in Gaza. Now the US Congress has piled on. Biden has refused to recognize a Palestinian state, vetoing the measure at the UN Security Council. Biden has enabled impunity for war crimes by Israel. Sorry. Biden and other Dems who vote for continued military aid to Israel will not have my vote in November.
I am 100% with you Gary. You have succinctly laid out Biden’s unending failures as president with a lifetime of experience but with no value learned.
Perfectly stated, Gary. My sentiments exactly.
Same here. Biden is not getting my vote!
I agree completely with you Gary. I can't in good conscience vote for Biden. The idea of it makes me sick.
Cornel West is a Colossus of humanity, a fierce advocate of human rights and dignity for all the people's of the Earth. One Billionaire in the World is too many. You only get that rich by exploiting the Poor and keeping your Boot on the neck of humanity. How is it possible that people with obscene wealth pay no tax? They could be truly Philanthropic and end Child Poverty overnight, fund free education, healthcare and affordable Housing Projects so every citizen could live in Peace and Dignity, work hard, and live a real American Dream. Fund research in cures for Cancer , and Alzheimer's, and easily make the world a better place, and still hardly make a dent in their off shore bank account. Stop treating Mother Earth like a rubbish dump,not open sewer. It's not a pipe dream, to strive for better is a necessity. This lonely Planet of ours deserves more respect, the harmony of Mother Nature proves it.
Brother West for President. I think we have a chance to break the evil binary. We can do it!
I like Cornel West as well, but there is no way that he will win in this election. In this coming election, a vote for Dr. West will help Donald Trump win the Presidency. If you are happy with that possible outcome, you certainly have the right to follow that path.
I agree and yet the thought of voting for Biden makes me sick as well. I feel so utterly betrayed by his partnership with Netanyahu. Can Cornel Weat push Biden to end the genocide by being a more prominent candidate? That’s what I want to see. I sadly don’t think Cornell West can win but he can threaten Biden and make him shake in his shoes. Biden is so narcissistic right now. He is so sickening. But if Trump wins the GOP he will be so much worse to Gaza if that’s even possible. They love Bibi. Rev west can stay in long enough to gain enough momentum that will let Biden know he will lose if Cornell West stays in the race. But once Biden does the cease fire and truly saves Palestinians lives and helps them rebuild their country then Cornell back Biden. But believe me I will never forgive Biden. NEVER! —even if I feel forced to vote for him to avoid the GOP & Trump. Much love 💕 to all who support Mehdi
Your perspective is understood as the strategy has been implemented many times over the years. The thing that I am concerned with are the people who don’t think critically about things they hear and who are very susceptible to suggestion. These people (unfortunately far too many) who will hear “vote for West” and then won’t be able to change their position when the time comes they will likely abstain from voting and in return put Donald Trump into office.
Free Free Palestine ❤️
Cornell West for President ❤️
Thank you for having Dr. West on! I hope Zeteo will provide him more of a platform and amplify his voice, so important right now.
Cornell West for President ❤️
He’s never impressed me. He’s actually a little cuckoo. I will do everything in my power to save our democracy. The threat is real. Two choices for Americans, Democracy or Autocracy. Don’t blow it now.
Cynthia Nixon is truly a woman of morals and someone to look up to. Shame there aren't more like her. Mehdi did a great job of speaking with her and asked the relevant questions. A thought for a future interview would to be speak with Andy Worthington. He has devoted years to trying to free the unfairly imprisoned men in Guantanamo. Another stain on the U.S.
West is an altruistic genius, but presidential material? Unfortunately not.
If protests are denied then so is democracy.
The idea of presidential material we’ve been force fed has to shift. A leader for the good of humanity with his intellect and mass organizing abilities, it would be a force to pivot humanity’s course. The empire will fall with the 2 party system and / or with fascism. I don’t know what will await. So an intentional redefinition is worth trying - mobilizing non voters for the first time.
It is a novel and valid wish to revise the system but I'd hazard to say that this is not the right time. Why? Because a failure to elect a third party candidate in this election could potentially mean a Trump dictatorship for years to come, a family dynasty. If he does what he is telling us he'll do, we will no longer have any elections. That has to be the paramount concern in 2024.
I understand the desire for change, I'd like a parliamentary system but I will not risk a wasted vote that will ultimately lead to a second Trump term. One has to be realistic this election. The idealism you describe is something to aspire to. It is not something we can toy with right now.
Read what Trump says he'll do and tell me you're not afraid. You should be, if he's elected there will be nothing left that we currently recognize of our government, as bad as it appears to many it will be immeasurably worse
with Trump.
I don’t disagree with you. At all.
In both 2016 and 2020 I voted with my head because of him (electoral college wise, it didn’t matter). It’s been a shit show with him and without him.
I’d like to lead with my heart this time. Or call it my consciousness. I know it’s ideal, but that feeling when you go against yourself (and rationalize and intellectualize it) - it’s hard to do that for me now. Thank you Mimi for this dialogue.
I appreciate your sentiment, I really do. It frightens me for the potential outcome seems so dire. But we all must do what we believe. 🙏
And Trump is?
Need you ask? A fascist masquerading as angry orange yam
Can’t recall Cornel ever denying protest rights.
He didn't that was a response to the second guest!
I’m with Dr. West! You have my vote! Cynthia Nixon, thank you for your insight! It’s so refreshing to listen to you.
You know what choice I refuse? Throwing away my vote on a grifter like Cornel West, who announced his candidacy on Russel Brand's show, where he called his fellow grifter a "truth-teller" and a "justice-seeker" and a "genuine force for good" whom he watches "reg-u-lar-ly, re-li-gious-ly" lolol. This after West put his name on a WSJ article praising Ron DeFascist, co-written by a conservative who runs an organization listing West on its advisory board, a position I'm willing to bet comes with a salary. Then we find out he took the max individual political donation from right-wing king-maker Harlan Crowe. Who knows who else is behind his pointless spoiler campaign.
The reality is, while he often says a lot of the right things in public, over the years West has allowed himself to be repeatedly used as a useful idiot to give credibility to right-wing propagandists such as Joe Rogan and the aforementioned Brand, as well as corporate media stooges like Anderson Cooper. So while I fully agree that our current choices for president are both horrific, Cornel West is also a terrible choice, because he has demonstrated that his words and actions and name can be bought whenever he needs money to support his extravagant lifestyle or to pay his unpaid back taxes or child support (look it up, he's a hypocrite). Never mind that he has absolutely no chance to win.
I fully understand and respect that some people just can't stomach voting for zionist Joe Biden, but if you're going to cast a protest vote, write in "Cease Fire" or something like that. Don't encourage grifters like Cornel West. Voting for him is just a sucker play.
Thanks Adam! I appreciate your recognition that many people simply cannot stomach voting for Biden after what he's enabled in Gaza. And I happen to agree with a lot of with your take on Cornel West's campaign.
I suspect the JRB campaign's calculation is that more voters balk at the idea of another DJT presidency, so much so that aiding and abetting the carnage in Gaza won't cost him the Oval Office. But if the margins in Virginia and Michigan in 2020 are anything to go by, I wouldn't be so sure.
My concern is what happens on Nov 5th if JRB loses. Let's face it, a significant number of those who might either sit the election out, choose a third party candidate or cast a protest vote will be American Muslims (who make up a significant proportion of voters in some swing states). And I really hope that progressives won't resort to maligning them for acting according to their conscience.
I certainly won't malign anyone who refuses to vote for Biden at this point, I actually don't plan on voting for him either unless he suddenly grows a spine and some morals and does an about face in regards to Israel. But I live in a state where Biden is almost certainly going to win whether I vote for him or not, so it's not really a significant thing for me to withhold my vote. I do think it is a very valid strategy to say to Biden right now, "you want my vote, do something to earn it". And I also think it's valid to say "it's too late Genocide Joe, you've lost my vote".
I will add though that if Trump wins, American Muslims and for that matter a lot of other groups are going to have a lot more to worry about then progressives judging them. For all his obvious flaws, Biden is not a fascist, Trump is.
Yeah I live I. PA so my vote against Trump is essential.
I completely agree with your characterisation of the MAGA-lomaniac. It's not so much the judgement. It's more that progressives end up "blaming" them for Trump and pull back their solidarity if and when all sorts of bigoted measures are implemented. It would be a shame to see that happen, essentially being "punished" for voting conscientiously.
I have to be honest about my feelings or thoughts on that issue. I intend to vote uncommitted in my NM primary, or write in “Cease Fire” for my too of ticket vote. I’m very conflicted in what I think about people of any background withholding their general election vote from Biden, & thereby maybe causing a Trump win. I consider myself a principled human, & I am very angry with Biden’s support of Israel after the point where it became obvious that they were committing war crimes.
I have called the WH numerous times leaving messages telling him to stop sending weapons to Israel & to do whatever he needs to do to get weapons to Ukraine. I’ve called the FLOTUS, VP, & Mr Emhoff. I’ve messaged all of them on all their sm sites many times.
My reasoning for voting for Biden in the general election is that I’m pretty sure that the power of AIPAC & the entire Jewish community is such that our govt would continue to send support to Israel even if Joe Biden became comatose today. After all, even with all the horrific things we’ve learned about IDF killings, & the continued collective punishment of starvation & lack of fuel & water, only 50-54 Democrats in the House have signed a letter to Biden calling for a cease fire. Also AIPAC is funding campaigns for Democrats to try to oust members of the Progressive Caucus & the House sanctioned Rashida Tlaib for speaking up for her people.
So my bottom line is that the support for Israel’s punishing war in Gaza is not just 1 man, Joe Biden. It is pretty much a whole of govt position & I wish that everyone could see that & come to the realization that at the very LEAST, Biden can be reasoned with & pushed to do the right thing; Trump cannot.
If someone pulls back their solidarity over that then I would question whether they're actually a progressive. That sounds like centrist liberal behavior to me.
There's plenty of centrist libs masquerading as progressives these days.
True that
I must agree with commenter Beetolone, that West does have great ideas regarding changes that need to take place in our govt particularly the military industrial complex & the belief that we need to police the entire world. However, he is totally unrealistic in his explanation as to how he
would win or accomplish any of his platform, taking into account the realities of the Electoral College & a Congress where he would have little support or influence.
He never really answered your questions regarding the above impediments, & therefore his candidacy is nothing more than a spoiler that may very well cause a second Trump presidency & the fall of democracy. A great mind, but way too much magical thinking.
Respectfully, I disagree that he did not answer the question. He said that he would take it to the people, that the political game of bribes and lobbying is corrupt and doesn't get us anywhere we want to be and that the real answer is in mobilizing the people. This was Bernie Sanders' same point when he was running. If you mobilize a movement of people, those people pressure their representatives in Congress or get them out at the next election. In a way, this did work for Bernie. It was the power of the movement he generated that made the Democratic Party that had been sabotaging his campaign throughout (both times) have to give him a position of some power, both in sculpting the party platform and in his Senate committee chairs. I believe that West could mobilize people and build coalitions. In the words of Saul Williams, "we perpetuate an unchanging reality by focusing on keeping it real." If you want change, you have to do something different.
West has nowhere near the popular support that Bernie had.
West can bring in good people to balance a revolution is needed even if it fails
Thank you Mehdi for asking the question. Dr. West, whom I used to appreciate, is now wiggling like a MAGA without answering the question you asked. Yes, he is helping Trump to the point that I wonder where his funding is coming from. He is another politician who mentions MLK Jr as if he owned him. MLK Jr didn't run for office as far as I know, and thus maintained his integrity. What Dr. West says is worthy in an opposition context, but totally invalidated by the fact that he is doing exactly the opposite of what a true nonviolent and anti imperialist activist would do. So what he says, instead of being inspiring comes out as pompous and empty.
Our country has, through its shortcomings and failures opened the door to autocratic rule. If we allow Trump and his handlers in a second time, which is much more likely now than before October 6, what will then be your path to justice? I say there will be no such path. What say you?
Sadly, West has authored some great work but is now delusional.
Someone should let Joe Scarborough know what Cynthis Nixon has seen when he goes on his reactionary Columbia rant every morning.
Let us hope that everyone with conscience will support him for the presidential election.
Third party voting is a math question, not a policy question. As long as our electoral system (know as "First Past The Post") continues to award 100% of the elected office to the candidate who gets the most votes (even if it is fewer than 50%), the electorate will devolve into only two viable parties. And, paradoxically, the third party does the most harm to the party with which they most agree on policies. When faced with a choice between the lesser of two evils, choose the lesser evil. Don't pretend your "protest vote" serves any useful purpose.